An Exploratory Analysis of ChatGPT Compared to Human Performance With the Anesthesiology Oral Board Examination: Initial Insights and Implications.

BACKGROUND: Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) has been tested and has passed various high-level examinations. However, it has not been tested on an examination such as the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) Standardized Oral Examination (SOE). The SOE is designed to assess higher-level competencies, such as judgment, organization, adaptability to unexpected clinical changes, and presentation of information. METHODS: Four anesthesiology fellows were examined on 2 sample ABA SOEs. Their answers were compared to those produced by the same questions asked to ChatGPT. All human and ChatGPT responses were transcribed, randomized by module, and then reproduced as complete examinations, using a commercially available software-based human voice replicator. Eight ABA applied examiners listened to and scored the topic and modules from 1 of the 4 versions of each of the 2 sample examinations. The ABA did not provide any support or collaboration with any authors. RESULTS: The anesthesiology fellow's answers were found to have a better median score than ChatGPT, for the module topics scores (P = .03). However, there was no significant difference in the median overall global module scores between the human and ChatGPT responses (P = .17). The examiners were able to identify the ChatGPT-generated answers for 23 of 24 modules (95.83%), with only 1 ChatGPT response perceived as from a human. In contrast, the examiners thought the human (fellow) responses were artificial intelligence (AI)-generated in 10 of 24 modules (41.67%). Examiner comments explained that ChatGPT generated relevant content, but were lengthy answers, which at times did not focus on the specific scenario priorities. There were no comments from the examiners regarding Chat GPT fact "hallucinations." CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT generated SOE answers with comparable module ratings to anesthesiology fellows, as graded by 8 ABA oral board examiners. However, the ChatGPT answers were deemed subjectively inferior due to the length of responses and lack of focus. Future curation and training of an AI database, like ChatGPT, could produce answers more in line with ideal ABA SOE answers. This could lead to higher performance and an anesthesiology-specific trained AI useful for training and examination preparation.

Predictors of Difficult Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks.

Background Fascial plane blocks are a valuable and important aspect of patient care. However, nerve blocks sometimes present with a technical difficulty that can lead to upsetting the operating room schedule, cause discomfort to the patient, or lead to inadequate block. Potential predictors of this difficulty were evaluated. Methods In a single-blind study, ultrasound image quality was evaluated on a grading metric, and its correlation with several factors that could potentially impact the difficulty of a procedure, including age, BMI, weight, length of surgery, IV fluids, and pre- vs postoperative block, was assessed. Results No correlation was found between any of our anesthetic, patient, or surgical factors, and the resulting image quality. Conclusion The study population was limited compared to our initial goals. We found no correlation between studied variables and image quality, but confounding factors that may affect image quality have not been ruled out.

Comparison of different size left-sided double-lumen tubes for thoracic surgery.

Study Objective: The aim of this study is to see if there are any clinical differences between using 35 F DLT for all patients versus using patient height regardless of gender to estimate appropriate DLT size. Design: Prospective randomized study. Setting: University Hospital. Patients: 50 patients age ≤18 years, undergoing lung or esophageal surgery requiring OLV. Interventions: Patients randomized to two groups (group-35F, group -DLT based on height). Measurements and Main Results: Data collected include demographics, ASA status, airway assessment, number of intubation attempts, Cormack-Lehane grade, number of times DLT repositioned, incidence of sore throat, oxygen saturation at induction and oxygen saturation at 5 minutes and 10 minutes after OLV. There was no statistically significant difference in demographics, ASA classification, Mallampati score, number of intubation attempts, Cormack-Lehane grade, number of times DLT was repositioned, and incidence of sore throat. In height based DLT group the odds were higher for the incidence of sore throat in 37-41 F group. Oxygen saturation at induction, 5 minutes and 10 minutes after OLV are not statistically significant between the two groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the majority of patients receive unnecessarily large DLTs for thoracic surgery, which not only makes intubation inherently more difficult but also increases their risk of postoperative sore throat.

Opioid Sparing Anesthesia and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol for Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background Opioid sparing anesthesia and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols are not innovative ideas. However, the utilization of pancreaticoduodenectomy is limited. With the rise in awareness of the opioid epidemic in the United States, we have created a multimodal approach to anesthesia and postoperative care to limit adverse effects of opioids and curb the use of opioids postoperatively. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study performed by chart review of an opioid-sparing anesthetic and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol initiated jointly by the anesthesiology departments and transplant surgery for pancreaticoduodenectomy from January 2017 to October 2019. Results Demographic data was found to be comparable between the control and protocol groups. Hospital length of stay, ICU length of stay, and opioid requirements significantly decreased in the protocol group. Hospital length of stay decreased from 8.92 to 5.72 days, ICU days decreased from 1.52 to 0.42 days, and narcotics for the first five hospital days were significantly decreased from 130.13 to 71.2 morphine milligram equivalents. Conclusion Proper postoperative pain management can improve patient satisfaction and decrease complication rates. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a complicated procedure with relatively limited data regarding enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. Likewise, there is limited data regarding opioid-sparing anesthesia techniques. Our protocol produced promising hospital length of stay and reduced opioid administration during the first five hospital days without increasing 30-day readmission rates.

Embolization of an Atrial Septal Defect Occluder Device Into the Left Ventricle.

Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder device has been routinely and successfully used as a percutaneous alternative to cardiac surgery for closure of atrial septal defects. It has shown to the safe with a low complication profile. Complications that most commonly occur with atrial septal defect (ASD) closure devices include malposition or embolization, residual shunt, atrial arrhythmias, thrombosis over the vena cava or atrium, erosion and perforation of the heart, and infective endocarditis. The most common complications associated with an ASD occluder device appear to be embolization and malposition with embolization usually occurring in the main pulmonary artery. We present a case in which the ASO device, AmplatzerTM (Abbott, USA), embolized into the left ventricle.

Incidental finding of tracheobronchial foreign body during double lumen tube placement-lessons learned.

Tracheobronchial foreign bodies are common in pediatric patients, but also seen in adult patients. Most of these patients present with history of foreign body inhalation, or with the symptoms like cough, respiratory distress. In this paper, we would like to report an incidental finding of a tablet in tracheobronchial tree during double lumen tube placement with fiberoptic bronchoscopy in a middle-aged patient scheduled for right lung decortication for hemothorax. We also learned that delay in removing the tablet would make the removal of foreign body complicated. The patient did not report any history of aspiration or have any signs and symptoms consistent with aspiration. We also discussed the difficult in diagnosing foreign-body aspiration in adults with nonspecific symptoms.

Intraoperative considerations in a patient with chondroblastic osteosarcoma and saddle pulmonary embolism undergoing amputation.

In patients presenting to the operating room with a saddle pulmonary embolism for noncardiac surgery, it is best to take a multidisciplinary approach and involve the cardiac and vascular surgeons.

Dermatologic complication following axillary cannulation for aortic dissection repair.

It is important to be aware of complications associated with axillary artery cannulation, especially the more common ones that can compromise limb integrity. Pulse oximeter and arterial line placed on the right upper extremity can aid in perfusion of the right arm during right axillary artery cannulation.